History of Taylor County, Iowa: from the earliest historic times to 1910 by  Frank E. Crosson. Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910
(transcribed by Linda Kestner: lfkestner3@msn.com)
 
 
Page 618
 
EDGAR HARRIS
 
Edgar Harris is the owner of one hundred and sixty-four acres of land, located in section 19, Washington township, and with its development and cultivation he has been identified for the past nine years.  He was born December 28, 1858, in Nodaway county, Missouri, the oldest in a family of ten children born unto Silas D. and Sarah (Fleming) Harris.  The former is a son of James and Elizabeth (Thomas) Harris, while the latter is a daughter of Peter and Temperance (Pettijohn) Fleming.  The brothers and sisters of our subject are James, Fleming, Nide, John T., Walter S., May, Estella, Nannie and Mary.
 
Edgar Harris was reared in the place of his nativity and acquired his education in the common schools.  The period of his boyhood and youth was spent in much the usual manner of farm lads and when starting out in life on his own account he engaged in farming and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-four acres of well improved land, located in Washington township, this place having been his home for the past nine years.  During that time many changes have been made in the way of improvements, for Mr. Harris carries on his business according to the most modern methods and now owns a comfortable country residence and substantial outbuildings, while everything about the farm is kept in excellent condition.  He is busily engaged during the seasons of plowing, planting and harvesting, and each year he gathers good crops as the result of his well directed labor.  He also raises stock to some extent and in this work he is also meeting with success. 
 
Mr. Harris was married August 15, 1900, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Rose C. Scofield.  She was born in the state of New York, October 7, 1870, a (page 619) daughter of Bernhardt and Mary Fifer, in whose family are three children, Rose, Kate and George.  By her former marriage Mrs. Harris has one son, Glenn D. Scofield, and by her last marriage she has one child, Nide Harris.
 
Mr. Harris is a republican in his political views and affiliations but he has never been active in public life, preferring to give his full time to his private business interests.  He is a member of the Christian church and is identified with the Masonic lodge at Gravity.  Early in life his aim and purpose was to some day become the owner of land and to this end he worked diligently and energetically and his hopes have been realized as is evidenced by the valuable farming property of which he is today the owner.